Hydrogen (H2) is considered a key factor in achieving climate neutrality by 2040. The colorless gas is 14 times lighter than air and must be produced using energy because it does not exist in pure form in nature. Green hydrogen therefore requires energy from renewable sources.
Upper Austria, Styria and Carinthia have joined forces to pool research and investment. Together they are forming a “hydrogen valley”. After negotiations, the European Union is expected to contribute 20 million euros in funding at the beginning of next year. The cross-state initiative has prevailed against numerous competitors, according to a joint statement by Markus Achleitner, Barbara Eibinger-Miedl (Styria) and Sebastian Schuschnig (Carinthia), the three VP economic ministers.
The projects in detail
The “Hydrogen Valley” comprises 17 projects with a total volume of 578 million euros, which are to be implemented between 2025 and 2030. “Six of the projects with an investment of 385 million euros will be carried out in Upper Austria,” said Achleitner. They range from the production and transport to the storage and application of hydrogen.
For example, the construction of a hydrogen filling station in Marchtrenk for the small van fleet of the furniture retailer Ikea is planned. New electrolysis plants that are to produce more than 10,000 tons of green hydrogen per year and the conversion of the 30-kilometer-long gas pipeline between Sattledt and Linz for the transport of hydrogen are also planned.
The hydrogen demand in Upper Austria, Carinthia and Styria is estimated at more than 13,000 tons for 2028. Hydrogen will also reduce Austria’s dependence on Russian natural gas imports, it is said. Hydrogen from renewable sources could drastically reduce emissions in the steel, chemical and cement industries as well as in the energy and mobility sectors.
The state of Upper Austria presented a “Hydrogen Offensive 2030” in April 2023. The Bosch Group is also involved and plans to invest 28 million euros in the hydrogen infrastructure at its Linz site.
